Chapter 63: You're the shady one! Your whole family is shady!

In the days that followed, Lin Xiaodou experimented with new dishes every day. Whether it was pickled fish, braised pork, or crucian carp tofu soup, she cooked whatever tasted good. The portions were generous and the flavors excellent. Every time the little golden monkey brought the dishes back, the plates were licked clean. Clearly, Zhou Qinglang enjoyed them immensely.

Of course, her daily efforts were not without reward. Lin Xiaodou kept a special wooden chest just for the treasures the little golden monkey delivered. By now, it was piling up with all sorts of good things. Though her space was hardly lacking, even the tiniest gain was worth something. Having grown up in poverty, Lin Xiaodou had become the very model of a newly rich hoarder—if something had value, she wanted to stash it away in her space, whether she could use it now or not.

Although Zhou Qinglang hadn’t met with her in person these past few days, he always sent messages via the little monkey. In addition to the gifts, he would write her letters. How a blind man managed it, she had no idea. Yet despite his blindness, his handwriting was beautiful—free and flowing. That was Lin Xiaodou’s first impression upon seeing his script.

As the saying goes, a man’s handwriting mirrors his temperament. Zhou Qinglang’s character was much like his writing: unrestrained and straightforward. Interacting with him was both easy and pleasant. Lin Xiaodou was happy to maintain their connection. In fact, Zhou Qinglang could be considered her first friend since arriving in this era—remarkably, a male friend at that. Truly a rare thing.

Still, Zhou Qinglang seemed particularly perceptive. She needed to keep a bit of distance, lest he discover the secret of her space.

...

Lin Xiaodou’s days were carefree—working when required, cooking good food the rest of the time. She lived alone in the cabin on the hillside, which had the team leader rather worried. He’d even come to check on her. Finding the cabin tidy and the furnishings warm and inviting, he could see that Lin Xiaodou was managing quite well. After repeated reassurances from her, he finally relaxed. He arranged for her to pay a token rent of one yuan per month to the brigade.

Lin Xiaodou remembered his kindness. Sometimes after work, she would drop by the team leader’s house, bringing a little something for his wife—perhaps a few hard candies or a handful of sunflower seeds. With just a few treats, they could chat for hours. Gossip was always a favorite topic among women.

From the team leader’s wife, Lin Xiaodou learned all sorts of village news, devouring every juicy tidbit. The most explosive of all was that Chu Ling and Han Guoqiang had registered their marriage!

Lin Xiaodou hadn’t expected the heroine to act so quickly—barely two days after arriving in the countryside, and she had already won over the male lead. The team leader’s wife said, “That Guoqiang is really something, getting the new educated youth to marry him. Now those two burdens at home finally have someone to care for them.”

Han Guoqiang was honest and dependable, yet in his twenties, he’d never married. The main reason was his unusual family situation—his mother was paralyzed, his sister was mentally disabled, both needing constant care. Most people, faced with such difficulties, would turn away; no one wanted to shoulder that burden. The villagers pitied him, thinking the family had held Guoqiang back. Yet now, against all odds, he’d managed to win a beautiful educated youth. It was said her family had money; she was often seen at the supply co-op buying good food to improve their meals. Laughter now filled the Han household, making many envious.

Hearing all this, Lin Xiaodou could only shake her head. She’d only read the title and summary of the book; the contents were a mystery. Who would have thought the heroine was reborn only to come back and do charity work? Truly a fool blinded by love—what a waste of a second chance!

Aside from that gossip, the hot topic in the village was the imminent return of San Laizi. Apparently, this man was a notorious scoundrel—fond of petty theft and despised by all. He had once been caught spying on young women bathing at the riverbank and was sent away to a nearby pig farm for “reform.” Now, after six months, he was being sent back.

The villagers grumbled and resisted his return. The team leader’s wife warned, “Comrade Lin, you’d better watch out for San Laizi, living alone as you do. He’s shameless and loves to pester the educated youth—if he sets his sights on you, you’ll be in trouble.”

“Thank you for the warning, Auntie,” Lin Xiaodou replied. For ruffians like him, a fist was all she needed. If he dared bother her, she’d show no mercy.

...

To her surprise, Lin Xiaodou found herself at the center of some gossip as well. Her beauty and efficiency had made a strong impression on everyone, young and old, male and female alike. Several suitors had already been turned away by her excuse that her family had arranged a match for her. News that the village “fairy” was already engaged left many bachelors heartbroken, forced to watch from afar with longing and regret.

In contrast to their disappointment, the captain of Team Three, who managed the educated youth compound, was delighted. Since the arrival of the educated youth over a year ago, Team Three had lagged behind—thanks to the educated youth’s poor work ethic, their team always ranked lowest in work points and received the least rations. The other team leaders often mocked him as the “king of the bottom rung,” much to his frustration. Though he had appealed to the brigade leader, he was always told to prioritize the greater good. Resentment had grown in his heart.

With no other outlet, he could only vent his anger by scolding the educated youth. He’d resigned himself to things never changing, when suddenly, hope appeared: the remarkable Lin Xiaodou.

This young woman worked at astonishing speed, earning his admiration. The team leader even took Lin Xiaodou over to Teams One and Two to show her off, pitting her against several strong men in a corn-husking contest. She did not disappoint—Lin Xiaodou won! The captain was so pleased he could hardly stop smiling. Finally, a moment of pride!

He became quite fond of Lin Xiaodou, praising her at every meeting. Of course, this only made her enemies more resentful—none more so than Zhang Lian. Among the new female educated youth, she was the slowest worker, often scolded by the captain. The daily sun had darkened her once fair skin to a deep tan. Watching Lin Xiaodou bask in praise, her skin fair and glowing on the stage, Zhang Lian compared her own disheveled and unattractive appearance and felt a surge of jealousy so strong it nearly drove her mad.

Why? They were both from the capital. Why was Lin Xiaodou doing so much better? What did she have besides a pretty face? Zhang Lian seethed with resentment. She wanted to ruin Lin Xiaodou, to destroy the woman who always outshone her.

She heard that the village scoundrel was due back soon—he was notorious for harassing pretty women. If Lin Xiaodou got entangled with him, her reputation would be ruined...

A wicked idea suddenly flashed across Zhang Lian’s mind.

...

Two days later, at noon, a shabby, sleazy man swaggered slowly down the path at the village entrance. Zhang Lian, hiding behind a large tree, watched him with barely concealed disgust. As San Laizi was about to walk past, she hurried forward and called out, “San Laizi, wait a moment.”

He turned, curious, and let out a whistle when he saw her. “Hey! You must be the new educated youth. Not bad looking, though you’re a bit dark—like you rubbed soot on your face. Once night falls, no one will see you at all.”

Zhang Lian fumed inwardly. How dare he! You’re the one who’s dark! Your whole family is dark!